Relationships - Self Disclosure Flashcards
What is self-disclosure?
Self-disclosure is the act of revealing personal information about oneself to another person. It helps build intimacy in relationships by sharing likes, dislikes, fears, dreams, interests, and attitudes. Effective self-disclosure can strengthen the bond and deepen understanding between partners.
What is the social penetration theory?
Social penetration theory, developed by Altman and Taylor (1973), describes how relationships develop through the gradual process of revealing one’s inner self to someone else. It involves reciprocal exchange of information, progressing from superficial details to deeper, more intimate information as trust builds.
What are breadth and depth in self-disclosure?
Breadth refers to the range of topics a person is willing to disclose, while depth involves revealing intimate and personal details. Early stages of a relationship feature low breadth and depth to avoid over-disclosure. As relationships develop, both breadth and depth increase, with topics ranging from superficial to deeply personal.
What is the reciprocity of self-disclosure?
Reciprocity of self-disclosure occurs when both partners share personal information in turn. This mutual exchange builds trust and strengthens the bond in a relationship. It ensures that self-disclosure is not one-sided and contributes to the development of intimacy.
What is one evaluation point for self-disclosure?
Research support from studies: Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) found that self-disclosure is linked to higher levels of satisfaction in heterosexual dating couples. Laurenceau et al. (2005) revealed that self-disclosure and partner responsiveness predicted greater intimacy in married couples.
What is another evaluation point for self-disclosure?
Real-world applications: Self-disclosure can be used in counseling to improve communication in relationships. Hass and Stafford (1998) found that couples who learned to increase self-disclosure showed improvements in intimacy, benefiting their relationship.
What is a limitation of self-disclosure?
Cultural differences: Tang et al. (2013) found that cultural norms influence self-disclosure. For example, individualist cultures (like the USA) disclose more sexual thoughts than collectivist cultures (like China), limiting the theory’s universality.
What is another research-based point on self-disclosure?
Correlation versus causation: Although self-disclosure is associated with higher satisfaction, it is unclear if self-disclosure causes satisfaction or if satisfied couples simply disclose more. This raises questions about causality in research findings.
